President Sang delivers speech at US centre

President Truong Tan Sang highlighted the Vietnam-US relationship in a
dynamic and prosperous Asia Pacific in his remarks delivered at the
Centre of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on July 25 during
his official visit to the US.

The following is the full text of his speech.

“Dr John Hamre, President and CEO, Centre of Strategic and International Studies
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

I have great pleasure to come here and speak to you at the CSIS. In
the audience, I am aware of the presence of many renowned scholars. Many
of you have maintained long-standing interests in Vietnam . And many
of you have made outstanding contributions to the relations between
Vietnam and the United States. My compliments and best wishes to
you all.

I appreciate the role of the CSIS as a
pre-eminent strategic think tank in the United States and the world
in fostering dialogue and understanding between the political circles,
academics, and the public of the two nations. CSIS also plays a very
important role in promoting awareness of issues relating to security,
peace, stability and prosperity in the region. These are the concerns
and interests that all nations share. And this is a very important and
essential factor that helps promote the cooperation between Vietnam
and the United States in the coming period.

I
wish to raise a few thoughts on the strategic environment of the Asia
Pacific, and bilateral relations between Vietnam and America in
this context. The profound and unprecedented changes in the world over
the last decade have confirmed Asia Pacific as the most dynamic region
in the 21st century.

Asia Pacific leads the world
in economic integration. We have ten out of twenty leading economies
here. The flow of trade across the Pacific now accounts for two-thirds
of the world’s total. The region also contributes 40 percent of the
world’s total growth.

Today, Asia Pacific stands as a
destination of opportunities for all countries in the world. The
United States shares its Pacific Rim with us. Europe enjoys long
standing ties with Asia . And countries on the Indian Ocean are
closely tied with the Pacific through the Malacca Straits. Economic
prosperity of all countries – be it the United States , China , Japan
, Korea or India and ASEAN member states – all contribute to the
overall prosperity of the region. A prosperous Asia in its turns
serves as a catalyst for the development of each country. The wealth of
this region is tied to that of the rest of the world. And therefore,
there is little wonder that today’s leading powers all place Asia
Pacific at the forefront of their foreign policies.

These
enormous opportunities offered by the region are conducive to the trend
of cooperation and dynamic connectivity. Regional forums such as APEC
and ASEM continue their important role linking Pacific Rim countries
with Asia, and Asia with Europe . In the last several
years, in addition to bilateral trade agreements, we note the emergence
of multilateral trade arrangements such as the Trans Pacific Partnership
(TPP), the free trade agreement in Northeast Asia and the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). These linkages will make up a
sizable share of world trade and create new growth engine for and will
lead to changes in the global economy.

We can even speak of an
eventual Free Trade Agreement that encompasses the entire Asia Pacific.
Needless to say, the successful realisation of these linkages is of
strategic importance to all of us.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our region has vast potentials to offer, but to translate them into
reality requires an environment of peace in the region. Therefore, we
must safeguard this environment of peace and stability. We must prevent
and manage conflicts. This is a shared responsibility of all countries,
within or outside the region.

I believe that the key
to a secured peace and prosperity is to build and consolidate a
regional structure. In this way, we can promote cooperation and create
linkages in among economies, among societies, in trade, politics,
security, and culture. In this connection, ASEAN has an essential role
to play. ASEAN countries lie at the crossroad between the Pacific and
the Indian Ocean . We connect all countries in the region, large and
small. ASEAN is at the heart of regionalism in Asia . This is why all
countries accept ASEAN centrality in the emerging regional architecture.

To ensure peace and security, ASEAN will bring to
full use the established mechanisms and forums, and promote the
development and implementation of instruments, norms and rules. To
ensure the freedom, safety and security of navigation, ASEAN will
promote dialogues, confidence building measures, full implementation of
the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and
settlement of disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the
international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Seas
(UNCLOS). Recently, ASEAN and China agreed to open formal
consultations toward a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). This is a
positive, yet early sign, and we need to continue to work on it.

To promote its role as the nexus of economic and trade connectivity in Asia ,
ASEAN will double its efforts to forge linkages among bilateral and
multilateral free trade agreements with a view toward a region-wide free
trade agreement. The drive toward closer regionalism will serve as the
catalyst for economic relations and intertwined interests, which in turn
guarantees lasting peace and stability.

Major
powers always maintain a grip on international relations, at
multilateral forums and in Asia Pacific. To promote relations with
external partners is a priority for both ASEAN and Vietnam . In the
quest for a solution to regional security issues, what ASEAN wants to
see is the maintenance of peace and stability, the effective operation
of regional mechanisms, and the strict adherence to the international
law. We hope that all powers will constructively engage in and
contribute to this common endeavor. ASEAN shall not be a tool for
confrontation or division as this will benefit no country, major powers
or smaller countries alike.

In this context, the
ASEAN Community of 2015 has become the foremost priority for all ASEAN
member states. For us in Vietnam , this is a very important component
of our foreign policy. We have been engaging ourselves in ASEAN affairs
in a proactive, positive and responsible manner. We link our own
interests with those of ASEAN. We strive to help enhance ASEAN’s role,
stature, unity and consensus. Only by doing so can ASEAN have adequate
strength to carry out successfully the Community. We will work with
other member states to consolidate the role of the Association as the
nucleus of regionalism. We will intensify our interaction in a profound
way with our external partners for the common goals and interests.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Within this regional dynamism and prosperity, relations between
Vietnam and the United States have broadened and taken off in many
areas in depth, in breadth and in the quality of cooperation. If we look
back on the long road that we have taken so far historically, we can
realize the truly enormous dimensions of those steps and achievements.

You may be aware that President Ho Chi Minh stepped
ashore the United States a hundred years ago on his journey for
freedom and independence for his nation. He shared the universal
aspiration of the mankind as stated by Thomas Jefferson in the 1776
Declaration that established the United States of America : The
rights to life, equality, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In
December 1946, not long after the founding of the Democratic Republic of
Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh wrote to President Harry Truman, in
which he expressed the desire for the two nations to establish ‘full
cooperation’. History has had many twists and turns. Not until 1995 did
the nations establish formal diplomatic relations that opened a new
chapter in the ties between Vietnam and the United States .

For Vietnam , a strengthened relationship with the United States
is within the context of our foreign policy in which we seek to ensure
independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of
relations, the overall international integration and the deepening of
relations with important partners.

I just held talks
with President Obama this morning. And I have the pleasure to announce
to you: Vietnam and the United States have decided to form a
Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries. Accordingly, our
bilateral cooperation will expand to include all areas, including
political, diplomatic, economic, trade, investment, education, science
and technology, defense and security. I also held meetings with the Commerce Secretary, Agriculture Secretary, the US Trade
Representative, World Bank President and IMF Executive Director,
Senators and Congressmen, and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
President Obama and his Cabinet secretaries stressed that our two
countries are having great opportunities to move the relationship
forward, and that the United States are committed to boost cooperation
with Vietnam in many fields, especially in trade, investment, economic
ties. We will continue to establish mechanisms for dialogue and
cooperation, with concrete plans, in order to deepen and bring
substances to the growth of our relationship.

Another important element of this visit is that Vietnam and the
United States have reiterated the determination and commitment to work
with other partners to bring the TPP negotiations to a conclusion, in
accordance with the planned roadmap. We look to a balanced agreement for
development. With the eventual joining of this leading economic
linkage, Vietnam has taken a giant step in our overall international
integration and in the regional dynamism and prosperity. We hope to
realize the benefits in trade, investment, technology, access to higher
stages of the global and regional value and supply chains.

We also look to create more jobs, to ensure social welfare and to
bring the living standard of the population to a higher level. Joining
TPP will help accelerate economic restructuring and transformation of
our growth model, and also help further improve the business
environment. We do not expect this to be an easy process for a
developing economy like ours. We will make our utmost effort, yet we
also look to see more of the US side’s flexibility and
cooperation. This is a very important factor. US business leaders whom I
spoke to affirmed their strong support for our overall bilateral ties,
especially trade and investment. And they would do their best to support
a high-standard, comprehensive trade agreement that addresses the
balanced interests of all parties. They would support a transitional
period appropriate to Vietnam in the TPP process.

We are conscious that when our bilateral relations develop in a
stable, lasting and substantial way, that matters not only to both
countries, but also to regional peace, stability and prosperity. We
welcome President Obama’s commitment to enhance cooperation with Asia
Pacific for peace, stability and cooperation. The United States
views ASEAN as the central pillar of this policy and supports ASEAN
centrality in the regional architecture. The US also voices support
for peace, stability, security and maritime security and safety in the
Eastern Sea . Apart from TPP, Vietnam will accelerate cooperation
with the United States at various forums, including ASEAN-led
mechanisms, Lower Mekong cooperation, the East Asia Summit and APEC.

In the meantime, we need to continue our work on
outstanding issues that remain between us. As a nation with a pacific
tradition, Vietnam shelves the past and looks to the future. I am of
the view that differences and disagreements exist as a matter of course
in any international relation. What we need to do is to build
confidence, to build our relationship on the respect for each other’s
independence, sovereignty, equality, political system and the principle
of mutual benefit.

Looking back on the history of Vietnam – US relations, the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership today is the culmination of a
forward-looking cooperation process pursued by both sides. It began with
efforts for post-war normalisation of relations, then the establishment
of diplomatic ties in July 1995, hence a new era of relations between
the two countries and people. In the past 18 years, bilateral relations
have made great strides. 2005 marked yet another milestone with the
establishment of a friendly, constructive, and multi-faceted cooperative
partnership on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and mutual
benefit.

With the growth of bilateral ties comes the
change in how we work together. The policy of embargo, encirclement,
sanction as the modality of relations between the two ex-foes gave way
to the policy of reconciliation, multifaceted cooperation and of forging
constructive partnership under the principles of respect for each
other’s political system, mutual benefit, dialogue and increased
exchanges to bridge differences. Bilateral trade and economic ties have
been growing fast. The U.S. became Vietnam ’s largest export market
in 2005. Then within 18 years, bilateral trade saw a 54-fold increase.
By the end of May 2013, US total investment in Vietnam amounted to
10.5 billion USD, ranking seventh among countries and territories
investing in our country. Cooperation in science, technology, culture,
education, tourism, defense, security has all seen substantial growth.

A range of activities has been conducted with
fruitful results and positive impacts on both sides on such areas as
healthcare, humanitarian cooperation like mine clearance, unexploded
ordnance, consequences of Agent Orange and dioxin, accounting for
missing people in the war.

On the topic of human
rights, we accept that there are differences. The most viable way is to
continue our dialogue in a frank manner so as to enhance understanding
and to narrow differences. It is with that spirit that during the
meeting with US Senators and Congressmen, we exchanged views in
an open and friendly manner on our bilateral relations, including human
rights and religious issues. I also invited several religious clergies
from Vietnam to join me on this visit and they had very frank talks
with American and international institutions who are interested in these
issues.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The message I
wish to emphasise is that Vietnam hopes to work with the United
States to further this full cooperation in the interests of both
nations. We should work together to nurture a peaceful, stable, dynamic
and prosperous Asia Pacific. And we strive, we must strive harder in our
cooperation for that common objective with the principle of mutual
respect, equality, and mutual benefit.

I thank you, Dr John Hamre and other participants for your very cordial reception.
I hope that CSIS will continue with your many conferences, seminars
and roundtables in order to exchange ideas on the cooperation process in
Asia Pacific. I hope that you will exchange ideas on how to boost the
bilateral relations with Vietnam as well. I hope each of you will
continue in your activities to contribute in a significant way toward
this process, as you have done so far.